This week we continue our
reflections on “God’s Envision for the Future of the Church.” However, this week marks a significant shift
in our focus. Over the past several
weeks, we have looked at the statistical decline, experienced by the institutional
Church in the U.S. We have also
discussed how the future Church must shift from an “attractional” model of
ministry to a “missional” approach.
This week, I want to shift focus to
the present Church and why I love it so much.
My foundational scripture this week is Philippians 1: 3-11:
"I thank my God every time I
remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for
all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until
now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you
will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
It is right for me to think this way about all
of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace
with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the
gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the
compassion of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer, that your love may
overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to
determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and
blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through
Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God."
Biblical
scholars[i]
believe that Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians for two reasons. First, to update and reassure the Philippians
about his own situation. Secondly, to
commend Epaphroditus to the Philippians, as he returned to them after helping
Paul.
When
we consider these 8 verses, I believe that they should be read as a love letter
from the Apostle Paul to the Philippian Church.
This passage reveals a special bond and relationship, which exists
between Paul and the Philippians. Paul
begins his letter with gratitude,
writing that he thanks God for the Philippians, whenever he prays for
them. Further, Paul’s prayers are always
filled with joy because of
the love and support, which the Philippian congregation has given to him. This joy indicates the depth of Paul’s
gratitude for the Philippian church.
Paul
lifts up their “sharing in the gospel from the first day until now…”. Biblical scholars debate what he means by “sharing
in the gospel.” Regardless of the
various interpretations, it seems clear that at its core, “sharing in the
gospel” refers to the Philippians helping Paul in his ministry. The Philippians
have been strong co-workers or partners
in the Gospel. Paul may also be
referring to financial support provided by the Philippians. Professor Hooker notes that the Greek word
which he uses, koinoneo, is used in other letters “with reference to
financial contributions.” (See Romans 15:26 2 Corinthians 8:4, 9:13. See also Romans 12:13 and Galatians 6:6. Similarly, Paul uses a cognate of this word
later in Philippians; see 4:15.)[ii]
Further, Paul is confident that God, “who began a good work…will bring it to
completion…” That is to say, Paul
believes that the Philippian Christians will continue growing in faith and love, until completed in “the day of
Jesus Christ;” that is, the end of the age.
Paul
claims that the Philippian Christians “share in God’s grace,” both while he was imprisoned for his faith and
in the “defense and confirmation of the gospel.” Notice that Paul does not claim that the
Philippians have shared in his missionary work or in the sufferings he has
endured because of that work. Rather,
Paul claims that they have shared in the grace from God, which has sustained
and inspired him throughout his work and suffering. Finally, Paul concludes this passage by
remarking about how much he misses
the Philippian church and how much he loves
the Philippian Christians.
To
summarize verses 3 - 8, Paul writes a love letter to the Philippian Church, in
which he lifts up the following dimensions:
1.
Gratitude
2.
Joy
3.
Partnership in the
Gospel; or partnership in discipleship
4.
Spiritual growth in
faith and love, which is ongoing
5.
Sharing God’s grace
6.
Love
In the
final verses of this love letter (vv. 9-11), Paul closes by offering up a
prayer, or blessing, for the Philippian Christians. Paul prays that the Philippians’ love may
overflow more and more as they grow in their relationship with God. Paul prays that their love may be informed by
knowledge and insight, so that the Philippians may live lives that are “pure
and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through
Jesus Christ...”.
Paul
understands that authentic Christian faith changes and shapes the lives of
Christians—both individually and in community.
Our close relationship of love with the Divine transforms who we are and
how we act. For Paul, these transformed
lives lead to glory and praise for God.
That is, Christians experience a transformation through the love and
grace of God. This transformation leads
to new lives defined by love, moral purity, righteousness, and justice.
If you
live in the Lincoln, Nebraska area and do not have a place of worship, then I
invite you to come and join us at Christ United Methodist Church this Sunday,
October 29th. This Sunday, I will use
this Paul’s love letter to the Philippian Church as the framework and basis to
share my deep love for the congregation, which I have been appointed to pastor. Christ UMC is located at 4530 A Street in
Lincoln, Nebraska. Our two traditional
Worship Services are at 8:30 and 11:00 on Sunday morning.
Come, join us. Everyone is welcome and accepted because God
loves us all.
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